West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho has slammed the English Football Association’s plans to reduce the number of foreign players plying their trade in England.

The Senegalese striker labeled the suggestion that England perform poorly on the international stage due to the amount of foreigners in England’s top flight as an ‘excuse’.

FA chairman Greg Dyke is one of many to have claimed that the amount of players from outside England’s boarders restrict the opportunities for young English talent.

Sakho has dismissed the claim and used France’s 1998 World Cup win as reference.

“Everyone can make their own excuses to defend their own interests,” Sakho told BBC Sport.

“France won the World Cup in 1998 and the French league was full of foreigners, same with Spain who won the World Cup and Euros, and Germany too.

“I don’t see why we should shut the door on new talent coming over.”

The 25-year-old explained that it is the dream of millions to play in England and to restrict foreign players from playing in the Premier League would be unfair.

“The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world, one which all young players dream of playing in. It would be unfortunate if some of my peers weren’t given the chance to do the same as me. There are a lot of good foreign players here,” Sakho added.

No Premier League side progressed into the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League or Europa League this season.